Seniors represent 8% of food bank users in Canada, a rate of increase that is outpacing other age groups at the moment.
That’s a trend Dan Levitt wants to see change as he hits the ground running as BC’s new Seniors Advocate replacing the now-retired Isobel Mackenzie.
In its Ageing Matters report issued earlier this week, half of all seniors in our province have an income that is less than 50% of the working population, another trend Levitt finds worrisome.
“I was shocked to find out that the fastest-growing population using foodbanks are seniors. There are more people in those lineups with grey hair than ever before and that is troubling because when you get to that point in your life you don’t expect to be going to the food bank.”
31% of B.C. seniors receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), a monthly federal benefit for seniors with low incomes.
The number of seniors receiving GIS has increased 20% over the past five years, from 263,764 to 319,428.
In addition, a senior in the province who receives the GIS, may also qualify for the BC Seniors Supplement (BCSS), a monthly provincial top-up income benefit for low-income seniors. In 2022, 91,539 seniors received the provincial BCSS.
The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction increased it in 2021 for the first time since 1987, from a maximum of $49.30 to $99.30 per month fo single seniors.
However, most single seniors receiving the Seniors Supplement do not receive the maximum.
“If you compare what somebody in the workforce is making – the average senior on fixed-income in British Columbia is making less money per month than somebody working full time on minimum wage. These are serious issues we have to really grapple with and do a better job at supporting seniors,” added Levitt.
Levitt added housing affordability remains the top issue identified by seniors and service providers as many communities, especially in the north are faced with a shortage of affordable and below-market options.
“If you wanted to downsize and find a place to live, some of those options just aren’t there. There isn’t enough affordable housing for seniors even if you could afford to find something in seniors housing that is private-paid and lifestyle-related. They don’t exist as much as they could as there are not a lot of options for seniors to choose from.”
About 80% of senior households in B.C. are homeowners and 20% are renters. Furthermore, 33% of senior renter households were in core housing need, nearly five times
the incidence of senior homeowner households (7%).
BC Housing administers the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program, a monthly subsidy to low-income senior renters who pay more than 30% of their income towards rent.
Many seniors who receive the subsidy reported that it does not provide adequate support.
On average, recipients pay over 60% of their income towards rent, the rent ceiling does not reflect the current rental market, and the SAFER benefit is not tied to the regulated allowable rent increase or inflation.
In 2022/23, over 12,000 people applied for BC Housing Seniors’ Subsidized Housing, an almost 60% increase from 2018/19 (7,836).
However, only about 7% of applicants have received units in each of the last five years.
As for long-term care, Levitt stated he wants to see 30 beds per 1,000 seniors – a threshold BC finds itself behind the eight-ball.
“We are already behind in terms of the population and we need to be able to build more. Three billion dollars has been invested to date in terms of announcements and that is going to attract about three thousand mostly replacement beds and those four-bed wards.”
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